Albania
Mission Without Borders first started working in Albania in 1992 – not long after the collapse of the communist regime in 1991.Albania has over 173,000 concrete bunkers, built at huge expense under Enver Hoxha’s leadership to protect the people in case of invasion. Many were later destroyed while others were turned into coffee shops and museums – the most famous being Bunk’Art in Tirana, Albania’s capital.Mission Without Borders
Thanks to our generous sponsors, we have been working in Albania since 1992. Currently we are supporting 335 families in six communities, helping them to develop their potential and find ways to provide for themselves.
Discover here how our support made a huge difference to a vulnerable family.
Communism and chaos
Mission Without Borders first started working in Albania in 1992 – not long after the collapse of the communist regime in 1991. Essential services such as healthcare and education were in chaos and extreme poverty was widespread. Many of the state-owned farms and factories went bankrupt, leading to thousands of lost jobs.
Albania had been shrouded in mystery for over 40 years under one of the most isolated and brutal regimes on earth. Cut off from any economic, cultural, or political links with the outside world, the population of 3.5 million were strictly controlled, with an estimated one in four people coerced into spying on their friends and neighbours.
Albania opens up – and Mission Without Borders starts up
Albania had been declared an atheist state under communism, and Christians, Muslims and others were persecuted, imprisoned, and killed for their faith. After the fall of the regime, Mission Without Borders began helping to meet the great demand for translated Christian literature, as well as helping to refurbish healthcare and education facilities.
In 1993, we began giving regular support to 30 families living in poverty in beach cabins in Durres. We first started partnering with churches in Albania in 1995 and ran our first summer camp for vulnerable children in 1996.
Discover how our summer camps impact children living in poverty.
The reforms and development after communism were slow, and Albania almost tipped into civil war in 1996-97 when thousands of people lost their life savings to pyramid schemes. In the financial turmoil that ensued, Mission Without Borders distributed 5,000 food parcels.
Emigration and poverty in Albania
Today, Albania has one of the world’s highest rates of emigration. In the decades following the fall of communism, more than one-third of its population left the country. Tens of thousands of people continue to emigrate every year.
The reasons for this “brain drain” are complex – but poverty and exclusion are big factors. Albania has the fourth-lowest wage in Europe – combined with a high cost of living. According to INSTAT, almost 42% of Albanians’ income goes on food.
Unemployment in Albania is on the rise, particularly among young people, and corruption and nepotism run rife. A recent survey shows that 83% of Albanians desire to migrate abroad for better opportunities.
Domestic violence and people trafficking
Over 50% of girls and women in Albania have experienced domestic violence, a number that’s above the global average of 30%, according to the World Health Organisation. In many parts of Albania, society is strongly patriarchal and traditional, with women financially dependent on their husbands.
Albania is also a major source country for human trafficking. Vulnerable men, women and children living in poverty are recruited through false employment opportunities and fake marriages. By supporting children in their education and helping out families with training and business opportunities, Mission Without Borders aims to lower this risk by giving people real hope for the future and the practical support that they need.
Albania: from isolation to influencer hotspot
While once its borders were sealed, now Albania is soaring in popularity as a tourist destination. Dubbed “the Maldives of Europe” by TikTok influencers, its Mediterranean climate, natural beauty, and pristine coastline are big draw for visitors. Albania’s government is also pursuing the goal of EU integration after becoming a candidate in 2014.
Albania stands out for its lack of religious conflict, with Muslims and Christians living together peaceably.
Today in Albania, Mission Without Borders works with sponsored families in six communities including Durres and Shkodra, provides regular support for elderly people, scholarships for students, and runs two after school clubs providing educational support for children.